Dieffenbachia named 68814

ABSTRACT

A Dieffenbachia cultivar having a unique leaf shape of long narrow configuration projecting from the main shoot in a star-like pattern, the leaves themselves having upper surface variegated coloration.

This invention relates to Dieffenbachia plants and specifically to a newcultivar thereof which has some very unusual characteristics.

I have carried on an extensive program of breeding Dieffenbachia and asa result have produced several cultivars which are outstanding, theprogram being conducted in the vicinity of Apopka, Fla.

During the specific program, which resulted in the instant cultivar,many crosses and recrosses were resorted to and included some known andunknown species among them `Lemon`, `Wilson's Delight`, `Perfection`,and Lance, maculata lancifolia. As far as I am aware none of the plantsused as part of the program is patented, nor do they closely resemble mynew cultivar.

The traits which were observed as being consistently present have beenrepeatedly produced and determined to be basic characteristics of my newcultivar which is identified in the program as number 68814 and will beknown in commerce as Diffenbachia 68814.

Asexual propagation has been caused by me near Tavares, Fla. andresulted from division tip cuttings and tissue culture to increase thenumber of plants used for evaluation, the traits found to beconsistently produced in successive generations. The parent plants ofthis plant were denoted 68313 and 66508, and were proprietary material,but have since been destroyed to conserve greenhouse space.

Among the traits repeatedly observed and determined to be basic toprovide the distinction in combination from other Dieffenbachia of thesame general type such as D. `Tropic Star` or any of those described byBailey or Graf.

These include:

Unique leaf shape which consists of long narrow leaves projectingoutward from the main shoot in a star-like pattern.

Leaf length averages approximately 4.5 times the width compared withmost other Dieffenbachia cultivars have leaves that are twice as long aswide.

Attractive variegated foliage consisting of three colors on the upperleaf surface, with similar, yet slightly subdued, colorations on thelower leaf surface.

Leaves have dark green margins with areas of dark green, lighter greenand almost-white blotches and spots distributed over the surface of theleaf.

Green-white petioles compliment the foliage to give the plant a brighterappearance.

Plants average 3 to 5 basal shoots which gives a full appearance beneaththe main shoot.

An unusually short internode spacing causes specimens to be very compactand have a high density of leaves to plant height, even as specimensadvance in age. This spacing seems to remain about the same even as theplants age, and is affected by light intensity.

Leaf petioles have long, wide wings of stipulate character,substantially only the tops of which are deep green, lobed and whichwings extend nearly the entire length of the petioles; and areimbricated to an unusually high degree around the main stem of theplant, giving the plant the appearance of having a very wide, striatedstem. Wing lobes are foliaceous.

Leaves are longer than wide to a much higher degree than normally seenin plants of this market class, and have unusually smooth margins thatlack undulations to a marked degree of which have finer, lessconspicuous leaf veining or ribs; the mibribs more nearly lacking greenwhen compared to most similar plants in this market class.

The leaf coloration is further unusual in that the color patterns of theleaves do not follow the color pattern of the midrib and veins.

As stated heretofore, the plant remains substantially compact withadvancing age and maturity and includes a higher canopy density than isnormal due to the closely spaced internodes. This would suggest thatthere are probably longer periods possible between required transplantsof specimens or reduced requirements for specimen renewal as plants growtoo tall for their location. This is not a real problem since the plantsdo not grow to great heights.

The wings of this plant seem to be more distinctive, probably becausethey are formed on most of the length of the petioles and end in greenfoliaceous lobes.

To more particularly point out and assist in distinguishing my newcultivar the following distinctive characteristics are in part dependenton the color illustration herein provided with colors where referred tobeing measured against The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart.

In the drawing the plant is depicted in color as accurately as possiblewhere photographic reproduction is resorted to and shows a mature plantwhich is six months old.

Classification: Dieffenbachia×c.v. 68814.

Propagation: Asexual production either by tissue culture or cuttings.

Plant: In a 15 cm standard pot after approximately 12 weeks of growthunder appropriate conditions from a plantlet obtained by division, 68814will be approximately 45.60 cm from the soil surface to the junction ofthe petioles of the most recently unfurled leaf, and approximately 50-65in width. All measurements are based on the above parameters. Theultimate size of 68814, if planted in a sufficiently large container andgrown under appropriate conditions, is widely variable.

Stem: The stem is erect in habit and will be approximately 20 mm indiameter at 30 mm above the soil surface. Internode distance will beapproximately 15 mm at a height of 30 mm above the soil.

Stem color.--148B to 148C but is generally not visible due to theclasping nature of the petiole wings which surround the stem.

Petiole: The petiole color is 157A blending to 158A in some areas. Thepetiole (based on the third most recently expanded leaf) will beapproximately 10 cm in length, with the clasping petiole wings extendingfrom the point of attachment on the stem to within 2-20 mm the base ofthe leaf.

Leaf: The leaf will be lanceolate, with an acuminate apex and a cuneateto shortly attenuate base. The margin is entire. The lamina on eitherside of the midrib tends to be of slightly unequal widths, resulting ina slight curving of the blade towards the narrower side.

Leaf dimensions.--For the growing time and pot size indicated, thelargest leaf will be approximately 9.5 cm×43 cm. An average leaf will be7.5 cm×35 cm. The leaf thickness is medium.

Midrib: The midrib is thick and tapers toward the apex. It protrudesprominently from the abaxial side of the leaf.

Primary veins: The primary veins are sunken into the abaxial side andstand out from the abaxial side of the leaf blade. The color of theprimary veins is the same as that of the adjacent leaf blade.

Color and pattern: The background color of the leaf is 1D to 150C withblotches of 145A and 147A irregularly paralleling the primary veins. Themargins are 137A and this color varies in width from 1 mm to one half ofthe lamina. The abaxial surface of the mature leaf is essentially thesame color as the abaxial surface except that the areas of color haveless well defined edges and appeared fogged.

Axillary breaks: A plant will produce up to 5 lateral offshoots per mainstem.

Blooming habit: Mature plants have been observed to flower in the springin the greenhouse in Apopka, Fla.

Roots: Thick white roots with fine laterals.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Dieffenbachia plant,substantially as shown and described herein, characterized particularlyas to novelty by its unique, long, narrow leaves projecting outwardlyfrom the main shoot in a star-like pattern, its leaves being severaltimes as long as wide, its variegated foliage of three colors on theupper leaf surface, the colors being dark green margins, areas of darkgreen, lighter green and almost white blotches and spots over thesurface of the leaves, its green-white petioles, and its full appearancebeneath the main shoot.